Surgery at the end of this week. So I’m concocting my own prehabilitation programme. A nice stroll around Rosehaugh Estate on the Black Isle. A ruin now. But absolutely enchanting.

Response to the budget is published by the OBR before the budget is delivered. This has descended into Keystone Cops territory. What an utter mess. I despair

I mangled the Latin a bit. But anyway… Salve Regina

Frosty Morning on the Black Isle today #PhotosFromTheFrontDoor

I’ve not been able to read a book for three years due to my heart issues. But I broke the spell yesterday with this from my beloved friend and mentor, Richard Holloway. Former Primus of Episcopal Church I strongly recommend it for anyone trying to make sense of this life and this world. Astonishing

It’s worth remembering that if Prince Charles had died before he had children then (soon to be ex) Prince Andrew would now be king. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social

My (95 y.o.) mum’s news tonight is that Judge Judy has changed her hairstyle. She does NOT approve

Lead the way Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦

Fascinating piece on the birth of nuclear industry in the far north of the Highlands. @charlielynch.bsky.social

In today’s public history column in the @scotnational.bsky.social I interview @linda83ross.bsky.social about the social history of the coming of nuclear power to the Highlands of Scotland in the 1950s. And why almost everyone at the time seemed to think it was a great idea…

It’s not his house. x.com/washingtonpo...

I’m reading Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre. It’s sickening. All of it. This level of abuse could never have gone on without others knowing, staying silent and being casual witnesses. This ‘action’ by the ‘Palace’ is utter bullshit. We need a “No King” movement in the UK

Up above the clouds this dawn

Drop in number of men starting studies for priesthood at Maynooth ‘disappointing, but not unexpected’ — Mandatory celibacy and not allowing women to become priests are among the reasons given for the decrease www.independent.ie/irish-news/d...

Four years since Cardinal Sin’s first public outing.

Have you ever been utterly enthralled by a movie and at the end said ‘ I don’t really understand what that was about. But I don’t regret a second of it’? ‘The Man in the Hat’ did it for me tonight. Free on Prime. And utterly enchanting. A movie that only the French could make.

My best wee pal In the whole wide world

Beautiful day in Cromarty

It was an unusual look I agree.

I’ve been a whistleblower twice. Once in my job as Director of Corporate Affairs in @NHSHighland where I was bullied out of my job by an inadequate fool with power over me. It literally nearly killed me. But ten years later hundreds stood up and said they’d been bullied too

After having completed my course of cardiac rehabilitation for 8 months I think it’s time for a wee bit o’ the cratur

You couldn’t make it up…

MarieAnne is cycling to raise money for the charity Mind In memory of Sarah Jenkins - an amazing friend and doctor. A whistleblower and a passionate patient safety advocate. We miss you Sarah.

Listening to Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir “Frankly”. Very surprise to hear her say in Chpt 9 that the decision to support equal marriage legislation was far from a done deal.

My wee Barley Boy is a god. It’s that simple

We were a downstairs family. My mother was a cleaner in the mansion of the descendants of Robert The Bruce. I think there’s a thing in Irish emigrants who loved the aristocracy. She loved that job. I think it would have been unusual for a catholic to have been employed there.

The faux rage about Jereth Kok hasn't yet arrived here from X. But to be clear, calling colleagues 'baby killers', opining that COVID vaccines are made from murdered babies and endorsing the gassing of 'inferior races' means he's been struck off for unprofessionalism, not because he's 'Christian'.

Social security benefits in the UK are lower than many other nations (click on the image - the UK is bottom).

📌 Today , in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🐥 America loves you Scotland ❤️

I mangled some of the words up. But anyway … Salve

A dog’s breakfast worth writing home about

The ‘Physician’s Associates’/ ‘Physician’s Assistants’ is 🔥 just now. But from an NHS PR view and frequent flyer patient the ‘A’ word doesn’t matter I’ve never used the term ‘Physician’ much. I’ve not heard many doctors use it either. Nor patients. Maybe that needs to change? Doctor’s Assistant?

When you’re 65 and your 95 year old mum shows you your toys she saved

Moustache and a mullet cut was niche for a Catholic priest even in the eighties. I thought I looked cool though 😬😬

And we do what they want us to do: No more outcry. We moved on to Iran now - but people are shot looking for food. Bombed because they live in the wrong place. They seem to be forgotten. This is how news media work. And if you know how to play the game - you win. My god, let us be better.

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: my.actnowni.org/petitions/st...

A very perceptive and important article by my friend Penelope Middelboe. What happens when religious sisters get raped by male clergy?

‘Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story’ is one of the most remarkable films I’ve seen in a great many years. To understand today’s treatment of women in Ireland and beyond, in the Catholic Church and in society, then this is where we should turn. #SkyArts.

Wordle 1,440 5/6 🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Hope

Is it possible to have a vocation to ‘leave’ the priesthood or religious life. I believe so. Here’s an article I wrote for Open House journal openhousescotland.co.uk/news//a-voca...

Is it possible to have a vocation to ‘leave’ the priesthood or religious life. I believe so. Here’s an article I wrote for Open House journal openhousescotland.co.uk/news//a-voca...

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Will they have to declare any other white perpetrator’s colour from now on, in case people presume they aren’t white?

This priest was my parents’ parish priest. He buried my dad. And he spoke to me jovially of the good ould days as a priest. - Catholic priest on trial charged with the sexual abuse of students

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Swede?

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Israel terrifies me.. We will all be at war if Israel gets its way . Nothing will distract from their land grabs and genocide … unless we are all at war 🤬💔🆘 bsky.app/profileeuron...

They want big families because they’re fine with a bunch of their kids dying of preventable illnesses.

Six months ago I never thought I’d be able to do this ever again. Heart surgery and cardiac rehabilitation is not a lifestyle choice I’d recommend, but it works. I’m far from sorted yet. But I feel much more hopeful now.